August 1981, the screen is hot. MTV officially begins at 12:01 on the 1st, with John Lack's infamous words, ?Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll". These are the first music videos. Music videos can be so much fun to watch and listen to! Creating the perfect music video is an art form, taking hours of careful consideration and attention to detail from the directors and artists. Musicians spend endless amounts of time getting every aspect of their video perfect - from the story, to the locations, wardrobe, props and of course soundtrack. There's a certain energy that comes alive when watching a mesmerizing music video play out artistically on screen. Enjoying awesome music videos from a range of genres enriched with vibrant visuals brings immense entertainment, amusement and joy!
The Birth of MTV: Exploring the First Music Videos Do you remember the time when music videos were a total game-changer? Well, if you're a die-hard fan of music, you probably do. August 1981 saw the birth of MTV, and it was a revolution like no other. The first music videos were groundbreaking and marked the beginning of a new era in the music industry. Today, we're going to explore the history, genre, and songs that helped shape the first music videos. So, turn up the volume and join us on this exciting journey! Let's start with the history of music videos. Before MTV came into existence, music videos didn't exist either. However, some artists experimented with producing short films for their songs. In 1975, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen featured a promo video that was innovative and fascinating. The video's success opened up new doors for other artists to follow and pushed music videos as a potential tool for music promotion. As MTV grew, so did the genres of music that became popular. MTV played a huge role in the rise of genres such as new wave, heavy metal, and rap music. The style of music videos also kept on evolving, with pop and rock music videos being more performance-centric. Meanwhile, hip-hop's rise brought a more narrative-led approach, depicting life in the inner-city areas, highlighting local culture and slang. The first music videos that aired on MTV included Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles and You Better Run by Pat Benatar. These videos set the standard for the quality of music videos required to be put on the airwaves. From inflatable kangaroos to backward music, unique choreography, and wardrobe, the first music videos were so out-of-the-box and creative that they immediately captured the audience's attention. In the early years of MTV, we also saw the birth of iconic music videos. Michael Jackson's Thriller, directed by John Landis, was the first music video to tell a story, shot with the budget of a million dollars. It became a cultural phenomenon, sweeping up numerous awards. Prince's When Doves Cry was the first video by a black artist aired in heavy rotation on MTV. The video's unique dark and moody vibe was not typical of the typical pop videos airing at the time, but it won fans over with its stunning visual style. One of the most significant impacts MTV had on the music industry was setting up a whole new avenue for artists to promote their music visually and creatively. It was an exciting time for musicians and fans alike, and it marked the beginning of some iconic artist careers. Some notable MTV-era artists include Madonna, REM, Prince, and Michael Jackson. Without a doubt, MTV's early years and the first music videos were groundbreaking. They were the beginning of a new era in the music industry, and they paved the way for the music videos that we appreciate today. From the superstars' unique performances to the off-the-wall videos, we have seen so many iconic images that defined a generation. MTV's impact on music videos cannot be overstated, and it remains to inspire and entertain music lovers globally. Without a doubt, MTV's early years and the first music videos were groundbreaking. They were the beginning of a new era in the music industry, and they paved the way for the music videos that we appreciate today. From the superstars' unique performances to the off-the-wall videos, we have seen so many iconic images that defined a generation. MTV's impact on music videos cannot be overstated, and it remains to inspire and entertain music lovers globally.